Things to do when you find out you’re pregnant

On finding out you’re pregnant there are a few key things you need to do. Here’s your early pregnancy timeline explained:

Book in with a doctor

While many women see their GP to confirm their pregnancy, doctors would actually like to see you before you even fall pregnant. That way, they can advise on any pre-pregnancy changes to your lifestyle, and help reduce the chance of neural tube defects such as spina bifida, by advising on folic acid supplementation. “It’s vital for all women to take daily supplements of folic acid before trying to conceive as well as for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy,” confirms Dr Miriam Stoppard, author of
Conception, Pregnancy & Birth
(Penguin).

When it comes to which doctor to choose, many Australian practices have a GP who specialises in ‘shared care’, meaning you just see your GP as usual for many of your pregnancy check-ups, rather than attending a maternity clinic or hospital.

Stop drinking and smoking

Research has shown that continuing to smoke once you’re pregnant is one of the most damaging things you can do to the health of your unborn baby. “Risks linked to smoking include miscarriage and stillbirth, damage to the placenta and a higher risk of foetal abnormalities,” says Dr Stoppard, adding that many studies have shown the damaging effects. “Children of heavy smokers were found to suffer from impaired growth and learning difficulties.”

In terms of giving up drinking alcohol, government guidelines recently changed, currently recommending abstaining rather than the seven units per week a year earlier. If you’re unsure, Dr Stoppard advises giving up the grog altogether. “If you don’t drink alcohol during pregnancy, you’ll avoid any problems,” she advises.

Get up and exercise

Whilst pregnancy is the perfect time to put your feet up, you should also schedule time for some low-intensity activity, such as walking, swimming or pregnancy yoga. It’ll help you feel more comfortable as your pregnancy progresses, make birth easier and reduce the amount of weight gained - meaning it’s also a great excuse to help yourself to another Tim Tam. “Exercising means you’ll have a more comfortable pregnancy and a fast recovery post-natally,” says childbirth educator Victoria Marshall-Cerins. “Exercise can also be great for swelling - which can be really uncomfortable - as it gets the circulation moving.”

Buy essentials for your new baby

Early pregnancy is also the time to put together a shopping list for life with a new baby. First off is nappies, although don't buy more than a couple of bags of newborn nappies, as they’ll be too small in no time. Next, baby wipes (unperfumed are kinder to baby’s skin), a nappy bucket (to store whiffy nappies), nappy sacks, talcum powder, formula, baby bottles, nappy rash cream, nappy bag, baby bath, baby oil, bath, car seat, a selection of onesies (one-piece outfits), blankets, socks, vests, hat (depending on time of year), bassinet/cot and a nappy bag. Phew – and that’s just what you’ll need to take your baby home from hospital…

Read up on life with a newborn

If you’re a first-time mum, it might be enlightening to read some baby books before your waters break. Will your baby be sleeping at set hours in her cot, thanks to Gina Ford, author of
The Contented Little Baby Book
or will you be letting your infant sleep with you in the family bed, or playing night-time ‘womb music’, as advised by
Sleeping Like a Baby
author Pinky McKay? Every mum is different, but doing some research will enable you to find out more about different baby routines and find one that works for you.